A line from the play best describesBlack Pearl Sings!when Susannah Mullally says, “Pearl is a pearl.”Black Pearl Sings!opened on Saturday March 7 at theJust Off Broadway Theatrein Kansas City, Missouri. The production marks two firsts for Spinning Tree Theatre, the production of a local playwright and the first time the company utilized a director outside the organization.

Frank Higgins, an accomplished Kansas City playwright, wrote the musical produced by Spinning Tree and directed by Walter Coppage. Victor En Yu Tan designs lighting for the two-person show and Angie Benson provided musical direction.

Black Pearl Sings!marks the directing debut of Kansas City actor Walt Coppage. When asked why he choseBlack Pearl Sings!to make his debut he said that he had missed the play in several cities and whenAndy Parkhurst andMichael Grayman offered him the chance, he jumped at it. Coppage directs the musical like an artist beautifully filling a canvas, turning the small intimate stage into a masterpiece. Higgins uses the right amount of comedy, drama, and song as Coppage blends the talents of the actors together to give it life and beauty.